M6.7 Earthquake – 38 km NW of Upahuacho, Peru

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck 38 km NW of Upahuacho, Peru at a depth of about 67 km, reported by the USGS. Earthquakes of this size can cause significant damage to vulnerable structures near the epicenter.

What this means for you

Most space weather passes without anyone noticing – but events like this are exactly why we watch the data. If conditions escalate, the first things affected are GPS accuracy, shortwave radio and, in severe cases, power grids. Now is a good moment to make sure your devices are charged and you know where your backup light sources are.

We track this in real time on our Space Weather Command Center – live storm levels, aurora maps and official NOAA alerts, explained in plain English.

Detected automatically from NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center data, August 20, 2026 at 18:30 UTC.

Source: USGS

Related Reading

• Earthquake Survival: Precautions, Kit & Early Warning in 2026
• Analyzing Low-Radiation Nuclear Explosions: Tactical Assessments and Survival Strategies

Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time

Moon: First Quarter (56% illuminated), in Sagittarius.

Notable planetary angles: Venus opposite Saturn (179°), Venus sextile Jupiter (62°), Jupiter trine Saturn (117°).

Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 2.0; strongest recent solar flare: M3.0-class.

This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.

Earthquakes Within ~400 km, Past 30 Days

For context, here is other recent seismic activity in the surrounding region (M2.5+, via USGS):

Emergency number for Peru: 105 (police) / 116 (ambulance) (General guidance – always verify locally, as this can vary by region.)